Jennifer Sirangelo, CEO of the National 4-H Council, wrote the following about #TrueLeaders in the National 4-H Council blog.
America is facing a leadership crisis. Many young people today aren’t being given the opportunity to learn the tenacity, strategic-thinking and people skills that they’ll need to lead – now and in the future.
4-H decided to change that. In spring of 2016, we launched our Grow True Leaders Campaign to highlight the experiences offered to young people that grow leadership skills. Through self-chosen projects, kids are paired with mentors and given opportunities to lead. These projects bring out their potential, their passions, and their drive to help others, as we empower them to become true leaders.
If we’re going to fill the coming leadership void, adults must play a larger role in encouraging kids and offering them the hands-on experiences that will help them build confidence and grow skills. 4-H’s Grow True Leaders Campaign continues to highlight those experiences. We asked young people to tell us which problems facing the world need stronger leaders, or which problems they themselves would like to lead the way in solving. Then they have the opportunity to develop innovative solutions to these problems.
We also asked adults to champion the positive work that today’s youth are doing by recognizing young leaders in their own communities through a digital Shout Out and by helping us provide more opportunities for youth to gain the skills they need to lead. Kittrina Thompson invites volunteers to “join us by shouting out a child in your life who positively impacts the lives of others through service, passion and courage. “SHOUT-OUT #TrueLeaders” is a simple yet powerful way to leverage social media to recognize the kids who take responsibility in their lives and communities, who have the courage to try something new, and who never give up.
Shout-Out using the hashtag #TrueLeaders on Facebook or Instagram sharing with others the great things kids are doing in your community. We’re supporting our youth, and we’re asking adults across the country to do the same. Let’s rally the nation to grow a generation of True Leaders.
